A man abandoned his young daughter with his mother to start a new life with his new wife. When he returns ten years later, he is shocked to find they have vanished without a trace.

Doris Dakkar had been a single mother to her son, Nicholas, after her husband left when Nicholas was seven. It hadn’t been easy, but Doris worked two jobs to provide for him.

At thirty, she never imagined she’d become a single parent again at sixty. She also never thought her son would abandon his daughter, Paige, after losing her mother, Sandra, when Paige was nine. After Sandra’s death, Nicholas quickly remarried Donna, and Doris hoped he was just lonely.

Doris grew concerned as Paige, once a lively child, became increasingly withdrawn. When Nicholas asked Doris to care for Paige for three weeks while he and Donna vacationed in Alaska, she agreed, thinking it might help everyone.

“Paige has become difficult… She resents Donna,” he claimed.

Doris warned him, “Donna should understand; she knew you had a daughter.”

Nicholas argued, “All that matters is that Donna makes me happy!”

Doris retorted, “Making your daughter happy should make you happy too!”

Nicholas left in a huff. A week later, he returned, kissed Paige goodbye, and promised he’d be back on August 27.

But August 27 came and went, and Nicholas never returned. Doris tried calling, only to find his number disconnected. The house he had bought with Sandra was sold. He was gone.

Doris sat down with Paige. “We will manage. I love you, Paige, and your father will regret this,” she assured her.

Ten years later, Nicholas drove to his mother’s house. It stood abandoned, overgrown, and shuttered.

He knocked on a neighbor’s door, where he was met with coldness. “Paige is married, and Doris lives with her. I hope you don’t expect a warm welcome,” the neighbor said.

Ignoring her, he drove to the address he’d been given. To his surprise, he found a luxurious mansion.

He rang the doorbell, and a maid led him into an elegant sitting room. A few moments later, Paige walked in.

“What is it that you want, father?” she asked, her tone flat.

“I wanted to see you and Grandma Doris,” he said, forcing a smile. “I’ve missed you both.”

Doris entered, looking vibrant. “Nicholas, what do you want?”

“I wanted a warm welcome!” he exclaimed.

“You abandoned me,” Paige said coldly. “You expected warmth?”

“Mom? It wasn’t me; it was Donna!”

Doris replied, “But you’re here alone. Did the money run out and so did she?”

Nicholas glanced around the elegant room, feeling envious. “You’re doing well. I’m struggling… I thought you could help.”

“I’m surprised you have the gall to ask,” Paige said. “You left us when we needed you. Now we have everything we need.”

“You’re nothing to me,” she said but added, “For Grandma Doris’ sake, I’ll help you.”

Paige pulled out keys and an envelope with $5,000. “This is it. Don’t bother coming back.”

As they left, the maid escorted Nicholas out. Sitting in his car, he stared at the mansion. “I did what I had to do,” he muttered. “Why can’t they understand my suffering?”